Who: Jets Overhead
Where: Garfinkels
When: Sunday, May 25
Its quite normal for a band thats been together a long time to disintegrate and go their separate ways. But for one Victoria-based group, just because they all wanted to spread their wings and try something new didnt mean they had to break up. Instead the eight-year strong musical partnership repackaged their sound, replaced their musical genre with something new and renamed themselves Jets Overhead.
The finished product will be unveiled for the first time at the New Music West conference this Saturday night in Vancouver and then Sunday night in Whistler, sharing the stage with Grace Nocturnal. Singer and guitarist for the Jets, Andrew Kittredge said the band was a tad excited about their new lease on life.
"The mood is different with this project because weve gone from light easy going kids to more serious musicians and a lot of these songs were written together, where as previously someone would write a song and give it to the band. Its a more unified result," he said.
So what do Jets Overhead sound like? As the band name suggests, its a lot of excitement and a lot of noise but with melodic pure tones reminiscent of the rock scene in the late 60s and 70s.
"I could just say were rock but thats a pretty wide open description these days. Were a bit like the Who and Pink Floyd with that reverse delay sound guitar wise and Beatlesque vocals over the top," explained Kittredge.
The other parts of Jets Overhead are Piers Henwood on guitar and keyboards, Brendan Pye on drums and background vocals, and Jocelyn Greenwood on bass and vocals. And amazingly they all seem to get along, despite the complete creative overhaul.
"Weve known each other since high school and been at it in the Canadian music business since then and all agreed it was time for a change," Kittredge said. "We all see music as therapeutic and the more we do it, the better we feel."
So how serious are Jets Overhead about the new direction?
"I wouldnt say were looking to dominate the world but were definitely serious about touring again and looking for interest from record labels. We recorded an EP this past year, which is more of a demo that were going to solicit very soon," said Kittredge.
Check them out and give them your thoughts at Garfinkels this Sunday night, with Grace Nocturnal for just $5. Doors at 9 p.m.